Aker and Kaiser donate to Humane Society

COLDWATER — For some time, the Humane Society of Branch County has been in desperate need of renovations to one of the two buildings on their property.

The building was erected in 1973 and was without proper ventilation, heating or air conditioning and has extensive deterioration.

Animals have fallen ill and some have died due to what the HSBC veterinarian has said to be upper respiratory illnesses caused by the inadequacies of the older building.

HSBC is seeking to build a safer shelter for the animals and visitors by utilizing the support of the community.

Currently, the HSBC has raised $30,000 — with $3,150 having been pledged toward the building fund. In addition, 11 companies and individuals have volunteered their time and contributed supplies.

Hal Barid, owner of Aker Inc., recently donated parts and labor for the installation of a new HVAC system.

An employee of Aker Inc. whose wife volunteers at the shelter discussed the issues with Barid and he decided to help.

"We have a pet from there ourselves," Barid said. "She comes to the office with us. It needed to be done and we did it."

Aker Inc. donated the complete system, poured the concrete slab where the system was placed and spent upwards of seven hours installing the unit. Seven employees volunteered their time late into the nights last week.

For 37 years Aker Inc. has provided air conditioning and heating services to the Branch, Hillsdale, St. Joseph and Calhoun County areas.

Another local company has also stepped up in a big way to help the HSBC — Kaiser Electric donated labor and materials to wire the system. Jim White has owned the company for the last 10 years. Before White took over his parents had owned the company since 1963.

After receiving a call from Aker Inc. that the system needed wiring, White and his three employees decided to help.

"We needed to give back to the local community and this was a great place to start," said White.

Kaiser Electric specializes in electrical needs for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers in Branch County and surrounding areas.